[AT] Flat Belt Implements 101

[Al Jones]

I recently acquired a #6 IH hammer mill in pretty good shape. 

These mills are driven by a long, flat belt. I"ve never run anything with a belt pulley before, so I"d like some input from those who have been there and done that. My plan is to demonstrate it at shows. Here"s what I "think" I know:

1. Long belts stay on better if they run slack

2. Everything has to be lined up just right.

3. You have to put belt dressing on the belt

4. It is cooler than heck watching a belt driven machine run.

That"s about it. It looks like (I have not measured the pulley) I need a 6" wide belt. Looks like there are plenty of different lengths on Ebay. How long a belt should I look for? Basically, I need a "belts for dummies" lesson.

I plan on running it with a smaller tractor like a Farmall Super A. (I don"t plan to crowd it too much) Does the size tractor I use help determine the length/type of belt?

Any help appreciated...



Al